Teaching training - the options

In the Republic of Ireland, teachers must hold teacher training qualifications, except for those holding posts in Vocational Educational Committee (VEC) Schools where only a degree is required for teaching academic subjects. A postgraduate diploma in Education is required for posts in secondary-level schools, and you must also have taken to degree level at least one subject or area of study relevant to the curriculum. The Bachelor of Education degree, or alternatively the Graduate Diploma in Education, is required for posts in primary-level schools. As Further Education Colleges come under VEC auspices, a teaching qualification is not mandatory for appointment to posts.

In Northern Ireland it is compulsory for all who graduated after 1973 to have a teacher training qualification in order to gain a permanent teaching post in primary or secondary schools. The options are secondary school PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education) and primary school PGCE. A teaching qualification is not mandatory for appointment to posts in further education. However, new entrants to full-time permanent teaching or associate lecturer posts in further education who do not already possess a Bachelor Education Degree or a Postgraduate Certificate in Education will need to pass the Postgraduate Certificate in Further and Higher Education PGC (FHE) awarded by the University of Ulster. Application forms are available from University of Ulster, Coleraine (www.ulst.ac.uk).

Applications and entrance requirements

A postgraduate diploma in Education (second level) is offered at the constituent universities of the National University of Ireland (University College Cork, University College Dublin, National University of Ireland Galway, National University of Ireland Maynooth) and at the University of Dublin (Trinity College).

Candidates for the four constituent NUI universities apply through an application centre, with selection based on a points system. If applying in your final year you are assessed on your pre-final year exam result, and if a graduate on your degree result. Additional points are awarded for postgraduate study completed, and for teaching experience. The application pack and handbook is available on www.pac.ie. The closing date for applying is usually 1 December; and, for an increased fee, up to early January. Competition for places is intense.

Trinity College Dublin operates its own entry system, which includes an interview for short-listed applicants. The University of Limerick, which also interviews short-listed applicants, offers graduate teacher-training programmes in business, languages, music, technology and physical education. Dublin City University runs a two-year part-time course for graduates with teaching experience.

To apply to the Graduate Diploma in Education (primary level) you should contact individual institutions direct for an application pack. All eligible applicants are interviewed. Combined with a degree, you need at least grade C in Higher Level Irish in Leaving Certificate; grade D (Higher level) or grade C (Ordinary level) in English; grade D in Mathematics (Higher or Ordinary level). A pass in a University First Arts Examination in these subjects will be accepted in lieu.

To apply for a PGCE in Northern Ireland, contact individual institution(s) direct for an application pack. Institutions offering PGCE courses in Northern Ireland do not participate in the GTTR (Graduate Teacher Training Register) Scheme, which covers England, Wales and Scotland. Applicants need to have GCSE English, Maths (and a Science for primary school teaching) to apply to do a PGCE in Northern Ireland. It is important to have a degree which is relevant to the curriculum.

Wherever you study, places are competitive so classroom experience is highly desirable.

Job prospects

Teaching qualifications gained in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland are recognised throughout the European Union.

There appears to be no ‘shortage subjects’ at secondary level in the Republic of Ireland and there is competition for posts. Initial part-time or substitute employment can help your long-term prospects. Demand for teachers at primary level is stronger. Posts are advertised most frequently in the Independent (Thursday/Sunday editions). VEC websites carry advertisements for their schools. Direct application to schools can be an important means of securing an appointment.

There are no ‘shortage subjects’ in Northern Ireland and, again, competition for teaching posts is high. Many newly qualified teachers spend their first year in temporary teaching posts within Northern Ireland. Vacancies are advertised in the local press – The Belfast Telegraph (Tuesday/Friday), The Irish News (Thursday) and the News Letter (Thursday).

Issues to consider

Funding

All courses in the Republic of Ireland are fee paying. Students accepted to courses are eligible for (means-tested) local authority grants.

In Northern Ireland, unlike England, no additional financial incentives are offered. Students accepted onto PGCE courses in Northern Ireland are eligible for mandatory (means-tested) awards from their local Education & Library Boards. Fees are paid.

Recent developments

An online regional database has been set up of qualified teachers who provide substitute (supply) cover for schools throughout Northern Ireland. This will streamline recruitment, application and selection procedures. The register is being supported by the Department of Education and is being developed in partnership with Education & Library Boards, CCMS, NICIE, Voluntary Grammar schools, Irish Medium Schools and representatives from the Northern Ireland Teachers Council. Registration is free. For more information, contact BELB on 02890 564000 X4427 or e-mail at subteach@belb.co.uk. Website: www.nistr.org.uk.

Written by Sandra Walker, Careers Adviser at University College Dublin, and Pauline Glasgow, Careers Adviser at Queen's University Belfast. This article appeared in postgradireland 2007.